Weather Channel says safety at risk in dispute

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - The Weather Channel wants its viewers to urge congressional intervention in its business dispute with DirecTV, arguing that it's a public safety issue if the satellite system pulls the network off the air for nearly 20 million viewers.

The network's contract with DirecTV expires at the end of Monday. If an agreement on how much DirecTV pays The Weather Channel is not reached by then, TWC will likely stop airing on the system.

The Weather Channel said it would be deeply irresponsible for DirecTV to turn it off.

DirecTV notes that there are other ways its customers can get weather forecasts.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)